NSW Inquiry into regional aviation

REGIONAL AVIATION INQUIRY TAKES OFF FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE13 December 2013

The Legislative Council’s Standing Committee on State Development announced the terms of reference for an Inquiry into regional aviation services.
The Chair of the State Development Committee, the Hon Rick Colless MLC, said: “The aim of the Inquiry is to secure more reliable and comprehensive services to and from regional
centres, particularly the smaller regional centres. Too many towns have lost their air services and the economic impact on those communities has been unacceptable.”
The Inquiry will examine the cost of access to airports in both regional New South Wales and Sydney, the financial viability and management of regional airlines and the economic impact that regional air services can have on local communities.
“The model that we’re working on at the moment is failing and if we continue to apply that
same model then things are going to continue to get tougher for regional airlines. If we can put in place a better model for service delivery and encourage the aviation industry to
participate in that, hopefully, we’ll achieve some positive outcomes,” Mr Colless said.
In addition, the Inquiry will explore the potential for development of future regional air passenger services, including opportunities for regional aviation manufacturing and servicing, the development and supply of sufficient numbers of trained and skilled aviation personnel, Government arrangements for travel, and the possibility of dual use services which include both freight and passenger legs on the same routes.
The Inquiry was referred to the Committee by the Hon Andrew Stoner MP, Deputy Premier, Minister for Trade and Investment, Minister for Regional Infrastructure.
Submissions from individuals and organisations are invited by Friday 14 March 2014.
The Committee will undertake hearings and site visits in regional areas and intends to report its findings in October 2014.
More information regarding the Inquiry, including the terms of reference, can be found on the Committee’s website.